NAZA Creators Reveal 100-Source Verification Process Amid IDF Discrediting Campaign

Key points

• NAZA filmmakers stated they interviewed more than 100 sources familiar with IDF systems, including senior-ranking commanders involved in strike authorizations.
• The IDF issued a statement claiming the film contained substantial errors and relied on 24 junior officers who only had a partial view of the targeting process.
• The IDF denied approving attacks that anticipated 500 civilian casualties for a single target, asserting that rules of engagement prohibit deliberately targeting civilians.
• The Guardian’s spokesperson rejected the IDF’s characterization of the film’s participants, stating that the sources were involved in multiple stages of the targeting process, not just early intelligence phases.
• The filmmakers cited a rigorous verification process that included leaked classified documents and corroboration from a wider pool of confidential journalistic sources who did not appear on camera.
• The controversy follows previous political attacks, including death threats against directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor and calls from Netanyahu to strip them of Israeli citizenship.

Background

The documentary NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2026, receiving a record 24.5-minute standing ovation. Produced by The Guardian and JW Films with Jonathan Glazer as executive producer, the film features anonymized interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers. It alleges that the Israeli Defense Forces utilize AI-driven systems and a homeowners-based targeting method to strike civilian homes in Gaza, often with civilians inside. The film won a Special Jury Prize at Venice and has been framed by its creators as rigorous journalism building on their previous work, No Other Land. The current dispute arises as the film prepares for wider release in Israel, the US, and Germany, amid ongoing international scrutiny of Israeli military conduct in Gaza.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the escalating conflict between investigative journalism and state military narratives regarding civilian casualties in Gaza. The IDF’s attempt to discredit the film by questioning the credibility of its sources contrasts with the filmmakers’ emphasis on multi-layered verification, including classified documents and confidential journalistic corroboration. The political backlash, including threats against the directors and calls to revoke citizenship, underscores the high stakes for media freedom and the role of documentary evidence in international accountability efforts. The alignment of NAZA’s findings with reports from other major outlets, such as the New York Times and Washington Post, suggests a broader trend of independent verification regarding the use of AI in military targeting, potentially influencing public opinion and legal proceedings regarding the conduct of the war.

What to watch

The NAZA team is expected to continue pushing for wide release of the documentary in Israel, the United States, and Germany. The IDF may issue further rebuttals or legal challenges to suppress the film’s distribution, while international human rights organizations and media outlets may continue to scrutinize the targeting practices described in the film. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how military actions are documented and challenged through journalistic means in conflict zones.